Apparatus for packing fruit and the like



May 31, 1932; RICE 1,860,873

- APPARATUS FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE L IKE I Filed May 24, 1930 s Sheets Sheet 2 4 Jag-6.1?

H'IIIIIHH I Hil ii- ADV .May 31, 1932. J. 5. RICE 7 1,860,873

APPARATUS FOR PACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE I Filed Ma 24, 1930 f s Sheets-Sheet 3 Jay-6.

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dbtom 5 directing or disposing inwardly the flaps of I Patented May 31, 1932 UNITED STATES JOHN S. RICE, OF BIGLERVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA APPARATUS FORPACKING FRUIT AND THE LIKE Application filed May 24, 1930. Serial No. 455,356.

it is an object of theinvention' to provide a L method embodying the use of a device, for

a basket liner after the filling of. the basket .and applied liner and before the application of the lid or cover and the cap generally associated with such lid or cover.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which, in substantially one operation, effects an inward bending or flexing of flaps carried by an end of a basket liner.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accomanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with a portion broken away illustrating a package before the flaps of the liner are flexed or dis= posed inwardly, the device for bending or flexing the flaps together with the associated cover or lid and cap for the package being shown in separated relation;

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1 with the flexing or bending device in working position with :espect to the basket liner, the cover or lid and cap being omitted:

Figure 3' is a view partly in section and partly in side elevation illustrating a further step Which maybe employed in my improved method;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in top plan illustrating a flexing device constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of-my nvention;

Figure 5 is a view in top plan of a still further embodiment of flexing device, a second adjustment thereof being indicated by broken lines:

Figure 6 is a view in top plan of another embodiment of flexing device;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sec-v tional view illustrating. the hinged connection between the sections of the device as illusfrated in Figure 6;

"vided with Figure 8 is a view in top'plan of a further embodiment of my invention; 3 I

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional viewtaken substantially on the; line 99 of Figure 8. a

It is now a well known practice in the packing of apples, peaches and the like to emloy a method involving the use of afacing orni upon which the top layer of fruit is 'arranged. After the placementof this layer of fruit upon'the facing form a tub or shell with, an inserted liner is mounted upon the facing form and surrounding the layer of fruit. The shell and applied liner above the layer of fruit on the facing form is then filled with fruit after which the tub or shell is removed.

The liner is of a character to hold the fruit fruit remains after which is applied in a I Well known manner a conventional cover or' lid with generally, a protecting cap.

It is reco nized that if the liner is proaps to be disposed or flexed inwardly over the top layer of fruit the value of the package is materially increased as such flaps serve as an eifective means for protecting the outer or marginal row of fruit on the top layer from bruising or other injury.

To successfully use a liner with end flaps for the purpose just mentioned, it is important that means be provided to effect the desired inward disposal or flexing of the flaps of the linerafter the filled basket has been upended but before the application of the lid or cover and its associated cap. In the embodiment of my invention as particularly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 this is accomvice D. The device D, as herein disclosed, comprises a continuous annular member 1 of any desired material capable of efficient use for the purposes desired and which member plished through the instrumentality of a del 1 has an internal diameter sufficientlyin ex- 1 I cess of the open or top end of the basket B to readily pass downwardly thereover without hinderance or obstruction to such movement returning to normal position irrespective of the flexureto which the material may be subjected. These flaps 3 extend inwardly of the member 1 on a predetermined incline of a relatively small degree but which position the flaps normally maintain yet the flaps readily yield or give as the occasions of practice may require.

These flaps 3 are positioned with adjacent flaps in close proximity one to the other and are arranged substantially entirely around the member 1 except at diametrically opposed points where such flaps are omitted in order to readily compensate for the basket handles 2. These flaps 3 are also relatively long to assure the proper fiexure or inward disposal of the flaps 4 arrangedat an end portion of a basket liner L.

As is illustrated in Figure 1, it is to be noted that the flaps 4 of the liner L initially extend upwardly beyond the adjacent open end of. the basket B and as the device D is glaced upon the basket B, the flaps 3 of the evice D will contact with the flaps 4 of the liner L and cause the same to bend or flex inwardly. The contact of the flaps 3 of the de-' vice D with the flaps 4 of the liner L as resisted by the basket content will serve to hold the device D in place upon the upper end of the basket and during that period the basket 'cap C and the basket lid or cover member M are properly arranged upon the basket B. It

' is then .only necessary to press or force the device D downwardly or in a direction toward the bottom or closed end of the basket B and the flaps 3 will readily pass out from between the cap C or cover member or lid M and the basket content and upon such continued movement the device D may be entirely freed from the basket to be used in connection with another package. It is to be particularly noted that the device D through the instrumentality of these inwardly disposed flaps 3 provides a means whereby all of the flaps 4 of the liner L relative to a filled basket may be caused to flex or bend inwardly to assure the proper position or placement of the flaps 4 with respect to the basket content and the applied cover member or lid M with its associated cap C.

The embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figure 4 is substantiallythe same as that illustrated in Figures 1, 2 that at each of two diametrically opposed points the member 111 will be outwardly offset to provide hand grasps 5, said hand grasps also being of such form as to and 3 except vice D in its entirety has been moved-relative to the basket B to free the flaps 3a, the device can then be moved in an opposite direction to cause the device D to pass free of the basket at the end of the basket to which the cover member or lid has been applied.

In Figure 5 1 illustrate an embodiment of my invention wherein the member 1' is split and is formed of a material possessing a certain degree of inherent resiliency whereby the member may be readily expanded when desired to facilitate its application or removal with respect to a basket. An expanded arrangement of the member 1 is indicated by broken lines in Figure 5. In this embodiment of my invention I also have the flaps 3 of materially, less width than that of the flaps 3 and 3a previously referred to and which form of flaps 3 I find in practice can be employed with advantage. With this embodiment of my invention the member 1 may be expanded laterally with respect to the basket B a distance sufficient to perment of the device in an outward lateral dimotion or in an outward horizontal direction when considering the assembly as illustrated will return' after being swung outwardly to expand the device or member 1 to facilitate either the application or removal and more especially the removal of the device.

With this form of invention it has been found in practice that it is not essential that the flaps 3 possess any high degree of resiliency or flexibility, which is equally true of the device as illustrated in-Figure 5, as the lateral movement of either of these devices with respect to the basket B will permit its complete displacement relative to the basket without necessitating any appreciable flexing or bending of the flaps'of the device.

In Figure 8 I illustrate an embodiment of my invention wherein the sections of the member 1b are hingedly connected, as at 7, while the outer or free end portion of one of the sections of the member is provided with a bolt or extending bar 8 which telescopes within a sleeve 9 carried by the free end portion of the second section. Arranged within this sleeve 9 isan expansion member 10, such as a coil spring, possessing sufiicienttension to cause the free ends of the sections of the member 1b to automatically swing outwardly or separate. However, to

- normally maintain sections of the mem ber 1?) closed for proper application with respect to a package, I provide the free end portion of one of the sections with a catch 11 coacting with a suitable latch 12 carried bythe free end portion of the second section. The member 1?) is provided with the flaps 31) disposed inwardly thereof. the purpose of which being it is thought clearly understood from what has. hereinbefore been described.

I claim y 1. A device for bending end flaps of a liner inwardly thereof after the liner has been applied within a package comprising a member adapted to surround the "package, and inwardly disposed flaps carried by said member for contact from above with theflaps of the liner.

2. A device for bending end flaps of a liner inwardly thereof after the liner has been applied within a package, comprising a member.

adapted to be disposed around the container, and flaps carried by said member extending inwardly thereof and adapted to contact with the flaps of the liner.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a device for bending inwardly an end portion of a package liner after the liner has been placed in a container and the container has been filled, said device comprising a member adapted to have surrounding placement with respect to the container and provided with means to contact with theliner for bending the liner inwardly upon movement of the device in one direction with respect to the container.

4. A device for bending an end portion of a 'liner after the liner has been applied wlthin a package comprising a member adapted to be disposed around the package, and inwardly disposed flaps carriedby said member for contact with the end portion .of

the liner, said flaps being of material whereby they will readily yield or bend but pos-.

sessing an inherent characteristic of returning to normal position irrespective of the flexure to. which the material may be sub-Q jected. a

{3. A device for bending an end portion of a. hner after the liner has been applied within a package comprising a member adapted to be disposed around the package, and inwardly disposed yieldable flaps carried by said member for contact with the end portion of the liner, said flaps being of material whereby they will readily yield or bend but possessing stantly urging said sections into closed relation.

7 A devioe for bending an end portion of a liner inwardly thereof after the liner has been applied within a package oomprislng a member consisting of a plurality of hingedly connected sections, inwardly disposed flaps carried by said sections, means for constantly urging said sections into closed relation, and means for locking adjacent sections one to the other. 1

8. A device for bending an end portion of a liner inwardly thereof after the liner has been applied within a package comprising an expansible member adapted to be disposed around the package and inwardly disposed .flaps carried by said member for contact with the end portion of the liner.

9. An apparatus for bending an end portion of a liner inwardly thereof after, the liner has been applied within a package comprising a plurality of sections each having inwardly disposed means for contact with the liner for bending inwardly a portion of the liner.

10. An apparatus for bending an'end portion of a liner inwardly thereof after the a package comprising a member adapted to be placed in surrounding position with re-- spect to a package, said member having means for contact with an end portion of the liner for bending said end portion upon movement of the member in one direction with respect to the liner.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

' JOHN S. RICE.

an inherent characteristic of returning to normal position irrespective of the flexure to which the material may, be subjected.

I 6. A device for bending an end portion of a. liner inwardly thereof after the liner has been applied within a package comprisin a member consisting of a plurality of hingedly connected sections, inwardly disposed flaps carried by said sections, and means for con- 

